When Steve and I headed out to tour Weare, I knew one of the first places I wanted to go was Clough State Park. I have wonderful memories of going there with my parents and sisters and later, bringing my own children there. I hadn’t been to the park in quite a few years, 15 at least. When I registered Toad this year, I got the NH State Parks Plate. This allows me free admission to most of the day use parks. This was the first time this year I had a chance to use it. The day was overcast. I wasn’t expecting any crowding on the beaches or trails, but what I wasn’t expecting was an empty parking lot. We stopped to chat with Park Ranger Kaitlyn. She explained to us the Mother’s Day flood of 2006 nearly ended the park.
Photo © Jacmanch 2006
This shows the entire park under water
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I took this image from one of the parking areas.
It was closed for a total of 3 years. She pointed out the high water marks on the trees and explained the restrooms are still unrepaired. In 2009, The Concord Monitor wrote an interesting article about the park (click here to read it). I found it sad the state has not had the funds to make the necessary repairs, but glad it was still open. Kaitlyn explained the decline in park visitors has put it on the under achieving list, threatening it once again. Finding the park closed for so long, many of the visitors stopped coming back. But…THE PARK IS OPEN, IT IS STILL BEAUTIFUL, AND WORTH SAVING!!
Steve and I set off to explore the park. One of the first things we noticed was the loon…
Steve spent quite a while, watching and photographing…
While I wandered off in search of other things. I stopped to talk with a man who was trying his luck fishing…
He told me he has been coming here for years, first with his children and now with his grandchildren. He said he loves Clough! He wasn’t the only fisherman I saw…
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As I walked along, I marveled at the beauty and peacefulness…
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The boat launch
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And what kind of post from me would it be if I didn’t take time to see the flowers…
Steve wasn’t just photographing the loon…I know, there is a joke in there somewhere
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There are plenty of picnic tables and grill pits. You have your choice of on the beach or in the shady woods…
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The pavilion is a wonderful place to have a large gathering. Steve and I watched as a group set up for their day. They knew in advance the horseshoe pits had not yet been repaired, but that wasn’t going to stop them! They brought new boards and shovels and set to work…
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I thought it was wonderful they did that! Now the horseshoe pits are there to be used by all. These are the kinds of people who can help bring Clough State Park back. To find out how you can help, you can call the park directly at 603-529-7112. Clough is a beautiful park and I hope it will still be there for me to take my grandchildren!
Next week, I’ll continue my tour of Weare. Until then, if you are in the area, stop in and spend a relaxing day at Clough State Park!
Touring NH 
The first dragonfly shot took my breath away! I love that in this post we got to see both you and Steve in action.
I had no idea the park was in danger. How sad that the funds are not available to do the necessary repairs? Hoping your post will help spread awareness. Thanks for taking me along!!
Thank you! It was a great day and really nice to be out together. I hope the park is there for a a long, long time. Iris such a beautiful place.
Thank you so much for coming to visit us here at the park! We have lots of big plans for the rest of this season as well as next year! We are so appreciative of the wonderful support from the community and our patrons!
It was my pleasure. I can’t wait to see how it comes along. I won’t wait so long to visit this time!
I’ve never heard of this park but it looks like my kind of place! We had two riverside state parks flood here as well, and it took quite awhile to get them open again.
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You would love Clough! There are several hiking trails and bike paths, plus the kayaking is excellent! The dam was built after the hurricane of 1938 and it did its job in 2006. The flooding downstream was lessened considerably by flooding the park.
This looks like a lovely park Laura, and the dragonfly photos are fabulous. From our travels around the US, it appears that state government budget cutters always start with the state park system. We’ve been to parks all over, and it’s amazing how short staffed they are. And the poor park rangers wear about 5 hats. ~James
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It is sad that’s where the budget gets cut, but it really made me happy to see people volunteering their time and materials. I know of at least 3 parks in NH that have “Friends of” groups who do a lot of work to save the parks. I think we are lucky the rangers certainly seem to love their jobs! Dragonflies have taught me a lot about patience in photography!
What a shame such a lovely park is in danger but how lovely people are doing something to help. The dragonfly and bee photos are lovely. My camera phone is not really up to shots like those but I wish it was 🙂
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Photographing insects is always a challenge – patience and persistence! It truly is a lovely park and I have so many great memories!